Sometimes, the fun is in the fusion. Yes, traditional food is very important – to respect culture and retain recipes that have been passed down for generations. But surely there’s also a place for experimentation – for mixing ideas for different corners of the globe and seeing what we can come up with. If that means pineapple on pizza or cheese or tacos, then so be it.
With that in mind, Ms Chi Cafe, located on a busy stretch of Main Street, is Chef Shirley Jung’s passion project, blessing the world with her progressive Chinese American cuisine. And boy, are we blessed!
“In addition to her unique culinary creations inspired by traditional authentic northern-style dumplings, noodle bowls, fried rice, specialty Boba and milk teas, and coffee drinks; Chef Shirley’s personality shines in the house-made Mr. Chi Chinese spiced pastrami and scallion pancake sandwich plus her Top Chef winning dish – Jumbo Cheeseburger Potstickers with a tomato bacon jam,” reads the website biography.
Let’s start there, because those Jumbo Cheeseburger Potstickers are both insane and magnificent. The word “jumbo” isn’t an exaggeration. One order comes with three potstickers, and each one is about the size of a slider – which is pretty big for a potsticker. Inside the soft and sticky outer layer lies a hefty chunk of quality ground beef, cheese, and some of that aforementioned tomato bacon jam. There’s crisped cheese on the outside too, just to finish it off nicely. Each bite is a decadent, gloriously greasy delight. We wouldn’t recommend eating them regularly but for a treat, they’re perfect.
We also tried one of the wonton soups – a delicious, meaty broth with noodles, pork and shrimp wontons, vegetables and incredible, shredded and marinated pork. Whether you add the ingredients to the broth or eat them separately, it’s a magical dish.
“Ms Chi Cafe might be a casual Chinese American restaurant but the quality of the food is on par with any fine dining establishment,” they say. “We only utilize the highest quality local fresh produce and spices and everything is house made including our breads, dumpling wrappers, noodles, sauces, and more. Whether you’re looking for a fast casual dining experience for breakfast and lunch, or a more traditional table-service for dinner, we look forward to serving you and welcoming you to our family.”
We look forward to going back!
Ms Chi Cafe is located at 3829 Main St., Culver City 90232. Call 424-361-5225 or visit mschicafe.com.